Heading off to college usually means a bunch of new college and dorm gear is in order – at least in the minds of many consumers. However, do you really need all that stuff that typical college packing lists tell you to bring? Probably not. “Don’t buy so much stuff” is tip number one on the green college packing list offered by St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York. This greener list is the perfect alternative for college kids looking to head to college with a smaller footprint.

One of the green buildings at the college.
Some of the excellent green packing …read more

With school starting up soon (or in some cases it’s already started) it’s important to consider the impact paper use in school has.

According to Conservatree, you can estimate that…

1 ton of uncoated virgin (non-recycled) printing and office paper uses 24 trees
1 ton of 100% virgin (non-recycled) newsprint uses 12 trees
A “pallet” of copier paper (20-lb. sheet weight, or 20#) contains 40 cartons and weighs 1 ton. Therefore,
1 carton (10 reams) …read more

If your child attends school for 12 years that’s about 5,000 trips to and from over those 12 years. But that’s just ONE kid.  That’s about 100,000 trips for just 20 kids so you can imagine how the trips rack up when you consider all the kids in one graduating year all over the world. It’s a lot.
The EPA offers the following Total Annual Pollution Emitted and Fuel Consumed table which gives you an idea of how much pollution just one car (driven about 12,500 miles per year) creates:

Since just one car creates so much pollution imagine how much pollution …read more

Green schools should be the norm not the exception, but sadly green schools are currently the exception to the rule. If more parents and students advocate for green school changes it can make a real difference. There are little and big steps you can take to ensure your kids have a green education experience. Some changes you can make on your own while other require many families and administrators to jump on board. Try one or all of the following to help create change…

Only buy eco-friendly and non-toxic school supplies.
Pack a waste-free lunch all year long.
If you child …read more

Schools seem to be starting earlier and earlier as time goes on and it’s almost never too soon to get shopping for back-to-school supplies. This year, why not green up the school routine with these eco-friendly school supply picks.

1. This handy Ecogear Panda backpack will work great both for everyday school use and for weekend slumber parties. Made with organic cotton, non-toxic dyes, and sustainable wood components this bag will keep your kid happy and green. Plus each bag has adjustable shoulder straps and comes in four cool colors; flamingo, grass, azure, and natural. For older kids check out the …read more